How do Maglev trains work?

Ning Zhao |

TED-Ed

• August 2026

To coincide with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Japan launched a groundbreaking bullet train that inspired countries around the world to invest in high-speed rail. Today, high-speed trains regularly travel at over 300 km/h, on par with the take-off speed of a commercial airplane. But can it ever be faster than flying? Ning Zhao details the possibilities and hurdles facing high-speed rail transit. [Directed by Vicente Numpaque, Dr3i Studio, Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Zak Engel].